Project by

About this project

Ed Lahti is a Lansing area artist, poet, and writer who was diagnosed with both colon and neuroendocrine cancer in January of 2012. In the last year he has endured surgeries, chemotherapy, a myriad of pills, regular doctor and hospital visits, loss of energy, nightmares, seizures, and pain on a daily basis. Despite his extensive struggle the tumors have spread through his body and conventional treatments have ceased. Eddie will be entering clinical trials one year after his initial diagnosis.

Despite all of this, Eddie has maintained a positive spirit and thrives on creation and expression. For years Eddie has wanted to publish a children's book he has already written entitled "Walter the Whale with Wings". This movie will attempt not only to capture Eddie's struggle with his illness, but also his embrace of spirit and courage as he attempts to become a published author.

Ed's Whale will be on a six month filming schedule. In that time we would like to see the book be printed and distributed at least on a local level. Ed has already been approached by local investors to print the first round and help distribute and sell the final product. The funds being raised by this kickstarter will go to the documentary only, not the book, which will be receiving funds through local investments and separate fundraising. This fund for the film will be used to supply proper equipment, purchase insurance, and help pay for services such as editing, travel costs, legal fees, and equipment rental. We do plan on offering full disclosure to our larger investors. I, Quincy Gow, do plan on creating as much of this project myself as possible. However, the more we manage to raise, the more justice I give to this film and its subjects.

Risks and challenges

We are making a film about someone who has cancer. Ed has some serious hurdles to jump on his road to recovery. There is always a chance he might not be around in a few months, despite everyones efforts to keep him here. This is our biggest challenge.
Facing this truth is a big reality check for everyone involved. It is something that I, the filmmaker, have to keep in consideration every step of the way. As of now, I could tell Eddie's story with a plethora of footage I have access to dating back to when he got his first camcorder at the age of 18. I do plan on utilizing this footage but I believe the real story is happening now. Ed is facing the biggest battle of his life and he still wants to push through and tell stories to kids about hope and perseverance in the face of tremendous odds stacked against the hero.
The story of Walter the Whale is the story of Ed and his challenges. If he can show such an incredible amount of spirit in the face of such a challenge, I can make a movie about it. Nothing can stop that.

FAQ

The money raised through kickstarter will be used to cover production costs over a six month period. I do plan on doing as much of the work myself as possible in order to get this done. So far, we have been out of pocket for all expenses. This includes transportation costs, external hard drives, cameras, sd cards, a computer, and editing software. We also have an accountant helping us set things up pro bono, an amazing selection of music provided by Frameworks music, and a graphic designer helping create logos. All in all there is already 10,000 invested in goods and services alone. In order to keep this project afloat we are asking for help. We still need to purchase some quality microphones and a professional camera with lenses. This equipment alone could cost as much as 7,000 by my pricing. Not to mention we also need to pay an editor to help us sort and organize the 50 hours of footage we have, plus the 200 we have in vintage footage, and the 100s of hours of footage we plan on getting over the next six months. We are not getting rich off this nor are we in it to make lots of money. I believe in transparency and I am happy to disclose our spending to anyone who is considering making a substantial donation. We believe in this story and want to give it the treatment it deserves.

Rewards

Pledge $5 or more

A genuine thank you and sincere gratitude from Ed and the film makers for your contribution in getting this film off the ground.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

136 backers
Limited (64 left of 200)

You'll get a HD download of the final film AND have your name listed on our website as a donor AND a genuine thank you and gratitude from Ed and the film makers for your contribution in getting this film off the ground.

Pledge $40 or more

A high-quality, US manufactured T-shirt with Walters image printed at Ed's shop by Ed himself AND everything listed above.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

78 backers
Limited (122 left of 200)

A US made, hooded sweatshirt with Walter's image printed at Ed's shop by Ed himself plus the listing as donor on the website and our sincere gratitude and an HD download of the film plus a hard copy of the final film.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $75 or more

19 backers
Limited (81 left of 100)

A DVD copy of the final film, a hooded sweater, T-shirt, and an embroidered beanie from Ed's shop plus everything listed above.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

73 backers
Limited (27 left of 100)

Everything listed above with an autograph from Ed himself on the T-shirt plus your name in the credits of the final film as a donor as well as on the web-site.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

28 backers
Limited (72 left of 100)

A limited edition print of Walter the Whale signed by Ed himself, plus everything listed above.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $200 or more

9 backers
Limited (91 left of 100)

Autographs on everything! From both Ed and Quincy! Plus, everything listed above.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Only ships to: United States

You selected

Pledge $500 or more

4 backers
Limited (96 left of 100)

Executive level donor listing in the film credits and the web-site a personalized thank you vid on all our social media. Plus, everything listed above.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

3 backers
Limited (47 left of 50)

A limited edition print of Walter the Whale professionally matted, framed, and autographed by Ed plus Executive level donor listing in the film credits and the web-site. Plus, everything listed above.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (10 left of 10)

Everything listed above plus an Associate Producer credit in the final film and an original piece of art from Eddie Lahti. Also, dinner with the filmmaker and Ed. Travel costs at the expense of the donor.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $10,000

0 backers
Limited (5 left of 5)

Everything listed above plus an Executive Producer credit in the final film. We will also throw a party in your honor in gratitude of your tremendous generosity with a private screening with you and your friends. Travel costs at the expense of the donor.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Ships anywhere in the world

Funding period

Dec 12, 2012 - Jan 26, 2013
(45 days)

Eureka! You've found our little secret.

Sign up for our Happening email for all the inside info about arts and culture in the Kickstarter universe and beyond.